6. Breakfast with King and Queen
"So, how are we going to get up there?" Skylarasked when Gawyn helped her out of the carriage.
It was barely after dawn. The sky over the city was painted orange and red, but the imposing mass of the rock fortress spiralling up above them efficiently gathered all attention.
"I saw the stairs, but that would take us ages," she added, staring upwards.
"There is an elevator," Gawyn said, putting her hand in the crook of his elbow and leading her away from the stone staircase.
"Elevator? And what is that?" she asked, frowning.
"Do you fear heights?"
"No, why?"
"Good. You'll see."
The General was a tall man, he was a good head taller than Skylar, but he effortlessly slowed his pace, so she didn't have to strain to keep up with him.
She was grateful for that, as walking in a dress with an elaborate and heavy skirt was annoying enough.
When they turned the corner, the strangest mechanism came to light.
The metal platform that looked like a cage for several people hung on some iron ropes and was connected to a system of pulleys and levers, with a big wheel where several mules were harnessed.
Skylar stopped abruptly. "Please tell me we are not getting into that thing."
"Yes, we are. It is the quickest way to the palace. You said you were not scared of heights," Gawyn said, pulling her gently toward the metal contraption. Skylar could swear he was smirking.
"I'm not scared of heights. But I'm not letting anyone close me in the cage hanging over the cliff!"
"Come on. It's not the time to get hysterical. It's perfectly safe. I'm getting in there with you, am I not?"
Sky reluctantly let the General lead her inside the platform.
The engineer in charge of the mechanism closed the barred door behind them.
He signalled to his co-worker, who snapped a whip at the mules.
The animals pulled on the wheel. The iron ropes snapped tight and started moving, pulling the cage sharply upwards.
Skylar lost her balance and bumped into Gawyn.
His arm wrapped around her waist to stabilise her.
She instinctively clutched at the flap of his jacket, her knuckles white.
"If we die in here, I swear I'll find you in whatever hell you get into and kill you again!" Sky hissed.
Gawyn laughed. Skylar was so shocked by an unexpected sound she looked up at him.
It was a short burst of amusement, and yet it sounded sincere.
His face didn't look like an indifferent porcelain mask anymore.
His grey eyes were sparkling with glee, and he was smirking, clearly entertained by her reaction.
"Relax," he said. "It will take a while to get to the palace. But the view of the city is fantastic, so try to enjoy it."
Skylar suddenly felt her cheeks burning.
She was acting like a damsel in distress and hated the feeling.
She was a warrior and will not be intimidated by some crazy invention straight from nightmares.
Sky forced herself to let go of Gawyn's jacket and straighten her back, although her legs were still trembling every time her eyes wandered down below.
The General kept his arm around her waist as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
"How did you invade this place?" Skylar asked when her heart stopped racing frantically. She needed some distraction.
"What?" Gawyn asked and looked down at her in surprise.
"You were the one who forced Hawkclaws to capitulate, were you not? I assume they didn't just hand you this fortress?"
"No, they didn't," he replied hesitantly, as if he was not sure why she wanted to start this discussion.
"But I didn't have to invade it. Inaccessible as this fortress is, it also has loads of disadvantages. All I needed to do was cut off all the supply lines getting into the palace. After a week of siege, they have no choice but to capitulate. Otherwise, they would starve."
"Huh, smart. But then, is it wise to keep the palace as the King's residence? Do you not fear someone could overthrow your family just like you did?"
"For the last three years, we've made a lot of improvements. We added new ways in and out, which are all kept a secret from the public, of course. Besides, unlike Hawkclaws, we have gryphons, so it's not like we could ever get stranded anywhere, no matter how high."
"Gryphons? Real creatures?" Skylar asked. "I thought they were all gone for centuries."
"Most of them, yes. Those are the only ones remaining. Each Gryphonheart of pure blood has a creature bonded. So, me, King Alarat, and our sister Aliyah. That's the only ones we know about."
"Why have I never heard of it? Wouldn't gryphons be an advantage on the battlefield?"
"They would. But with so few of them remaining...." Gawyn hesitated and knitted his brows. "They are proud and beautiful creatures. It would be a shame if something should happen to them. We didn't need their assistance so far."
"Oh, I see. How did you go about the siege without destroying half of the city in the process?"
Skylar kept asking questions about the War of Crowns.
She never had an inclination to learn about political treaties and history, but talking to a commander, who actually won the war, was a different matter.
And for the first time since they met, they had a real conversation.
Gawyn's usually reserved and curt way of talking was abandoned entirely while discussing military strategy and tactical manoeuvres.
Before they knew it, the elevator came to a stop, and they were strolling down the palace hallway, still discussing the advantages of using a small reconnaissance unit against a fully-fledged area sweep. They both jumped, startled by an unexpected voice.
"I can't believe my eyes! My little brother is so entranced in conversation with a Lady that he fails even to acknowledge me," the King boomed, grinning like a little boy.
"Don't be ridiculous, Alarat," Gawyn scoffed. "Why are you here anyway? Couldn't you wait for us at the terrace?"
"Maybe, but I just couldn't wait to see your lovely wife again," the King said. He turned to Skylar, his handsome face beaming with happiness. "Lady Skylar, since the first time I've heard rumours about you, I just knew you would be a perfect wife for my brother!" He kissed her hand gallantly.
Skylar bowed her head and curtseyed, feeling her cheeks burning. "You are far too kind, your Highness."
"Oh, you don't have to bother with your Highness and all that ceremony during our private meetings," Alarat said.
"We are family now. I'd love you just to call me Alarat. Now, let me show you around."
He jovially put an arm around Skylar's shoulders and looked at Gawyn with a smirk. "You don't mind, do you, dear brother?"
"You are overbearing again, Alarat," the General said, rolling his eyes, but he followed after them.
"Oh, all the stories I can tell you about Gawyn!"
the King continued cheerfully. "Do you know that when he was young, and we were attending the parties, he was sneaking out to read books about military strategy? And then, if any young lady tried to approach him, he started speaking about his latest read. It never failed to bore poor girls to death.
"
"Can you please cease these ridiculous reminiscences?"Gawyn growled, giving his brother a death stare.
"Why? I'm sure it's something your wife should know. If he starts talking about strategy, you have to stop him. Otherwise, he'll never shut up."
"Actually, I don't mind talking about strategy and other militaristic matters," Skylar said with a small smile. "I find it fascinating."
"You do?" asked Alarat raising his brow. "Well, in that case, talk away!" He turned to his brother. "I can't believe you got the only woman in the whole kingdom that seems to enjoy your prattling."
The brothers started to bicker, and Skylar was watching them in awe.
They acted completely different than during official occasions.
Gawyn's usual masks were lost somewhere along the way, and he was annoyed with his brother's relentless teasing.
But before the King could share any more embarrassing stories from their childhood, they entered the terrace, and Skylar's breath was taken away.
The balcony overlooked the whole city and all the lands around it. The wind was a bit cold, but the sun's gentle rays made the entire space pleasantly warm.
"It makes an impression, does it not?" Alarat asked with a smirk, so remarkably like his brother's.
"That's... amazing," Skylar stuttered, gawking at the picturesque landscape.
"Come. The breakfast is served. We don't want to keep the Queen waiting," Gawyn said, taking her hand and leading her to the square table laden with the most exquisite food.
The Queen got up from her seat and smiled warmly. "Gawyn, Skylar, welcome."
"Elinora, you look radiant, as always," Gawyn said, kissing her offered hand.
"Your Highness," Skylar bowed her head and curtseyed.
"My dear, when it's only us, it's Elinora," the Queen said.
"Now, let me properly greet you." She took both of Sky's hands and gave her gentle kisses on both cheeks, their skin barely touching.
Elinora smelled heavenly. Skylar had no idea what perfume she wore, but it matched her perfectly. "Now, let us enjoy breakfast!"
The table wasn't big, so they could comfortably talk to each other without raising their voices.
Skylar helped herself to baked eggs but hesitated before picking up a fork.
Four were next to her plate, each with a different shape and size.
She looked discreetly at Gawyn. He touched the fork second to the left, answering her unspoken question before picking up the biggest one and digging into his casserole.
"So, Skylar, how are you finding the Evergreen Manor?" Elinora asked with a polite smile on her lips. She was a personification of poise and elegance, and Skylar felt horribly out of place sitting next to her.
"It's beautiful. I've never seen a place with such perfect gardens."
"It is. And to think that when Gawyn bought it three years ago was an abandoned ruin," Alarat said.
"Really?" Skylar asked, surprised, looking at her husband.